Residents of Pear Tree Grove and surrounding areas in the Troja Division in St Catherine are expressing shock and dismay that they were ordered to discontinue their Labour Day project by the Riversdale Police.

According to residents, the project, which sought to clean two tanks and construct steps to the catchments, was conceived about three months ago and the decision was taken that it would be carried out on Labour Day.

Against this background, we decided as members of the community that we would pool our resources and remedy the problem as a Labour Day project," Thomas said.

"When I was informed that the residents were carrying out this project of interfering with municipal corporation water source, unknown to me as the sitting councillor, I immediately contacted the mayor and he informed me that nobody sought authorisation from him and he did not issue any approval for the project," Councillor for the Troja Division William Cytall told The Gleaner.

"In my view, this can be seen a normal Labour Day project where citizens pooled their resources to help themselves to effect changes and solve community problems.